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Balewadi residents want permanent solution for street vendors
The residents of Balewadi are now demanding permanent solutions from street vendors who have occupied footpath space, blocking the path for pedestrians
The residents of Balewadi are now demanding permanent solutions from street vendors who have occupied footpath space, blocking the path for pedestrians. While the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken action many times, these vendors are returning to the footpath in the past two-three days.
Pavanjit Mane, member of the Mhalunge-Balewadi Housing Society Association said, “If we look at any locality in the Balewadi, 20 per cent of the road is encroached by the street vendors. So what happens is that if you want to walk on a complete lane then it is not possible as street vendors are running their shops. The situation is so bad that we cannot walk with our kids on the footpath.”
“Even on the Balewadi high street, the road is good but street vendors have encroached the corner portion, thus increasing traffic jams,” added Mane.
The association stated that they raised various complaints online with the PMC, however, the civic body has failed to address them promptly. The street lights at Radha Chowk are also not working, however, action is not taken by PMC.
Another resident Abhijit Kulkarni of Kirti Society in Balewadi said, At Radha Chowk traffic jam is a common occurrence as vendors occupy space and vehicles are not parked systematically. There are easy solutions to avoid these conditions however no prompt action is taken by the authorities.”
Madhav Jagtap, deputy commissioner, encroachment /illegal construction, removal department did not respond to calls or messages.
